MAGA’s “righteous fury” at Charlie Kirk’s memorial

35 snips

Sep 22, 2025

The podcast dives into the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, blending political rallying and evangelical passion. Erika Kirk delivers a moving speech, emphasizing forgiveness while receiving immense support. The conversation explores whether MAGA leaders will leverage the tragedy to spark a religious revival against the left. There's a provocative debate on using such grief to influence legal reforms and media narratives. The episode raises questions about the future of the conservative movement and the role of faith in politics.

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INSIGHT

Memorial As Political Revival

Charlie Kirk's memorial felt like both a funeral and a political revival for the right.
Hosts say the event united conservative figures and evangelical fervor into a single spectacle.

ANECDOTE

Widow's Public Forgiveness

Erica Kirk forgave her husband's killer on stage, invoking Christ and the gospel of love.
The hosts describe the moment as deeply moving and emotionally effective for the audience.

INSIGHT

Trump's Retributive Tone

Donald Trump publicly contrasted his approach with Erica Kirk's forgiveness, joking he still 'hates' his opponents.
Hosts argue Trump's rhetoric fits a broader pattern of retribution in his recent actions.

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Justin and Anthony unpack the memorial service held yesterday in Glendale, Arizona for the conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead earlier this month.

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, was given a standing ovation for forgiving the man who shot her husband, delivering an emotional and deeply religious speech where she called for people to “choose Christ” and take up her husband’s mission. In this episode, the Americast team also look at whether MAGA politicians and officials will use Charlie Kirk’s assassination to intensify a religious war against the left to ignite a “spiritual revival”. We hear the views of Trump’s top policy adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, who talks about the rise of a spiritual army, and JD Vance the Vice President hailing Kirk as a martyr. Has the Trump administration started a religious war against Democrats, and the left, in the name of Charlie Kirk?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by Rufus Gray and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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